Another young man has testified that he was sexually assaulted by a pastor who worked at churches in the West Island and TMR.
Brian Boucher is standing trial on three charges of sexual assault of an alter boy during a period of three years starting in 2008 when he was 12. The alleged crimes happened when Boucher was pastor of Our Lady of the Annunciation Parish in Town of Mount Royal.
This second witness was brought in by the crown to prove there was a pattern and to bolster the credibility of the first alleged victim who the defence contends is fabricating his story.
The second witness testified he was similarly sexually assaulted by Boucher when he was 10 for a period of three years starting in 1995 when Boucher was a pastor at the St. John Brébeuf Parish in LaSalle and the young man was an alter boy.
Day two of sexual assault trial of Brian Boucher who was a pastor at churches in the West Island and Montreal. Crown wants testimony of 2nd alleged victim admitted into evidence to bolster credibility of 1st young man and to establish a pattern of sexual abuse. #CJAD800 pic.twitter.com/l4Tbjx0uQ5
— Shuyee Lee (@sleeCJAD) November 20, 2018
Crown prosecutor Annabelle Sheppard argues that the similarities are not mere coincidences but a pattern: that Boucher became close friends with the boys' families as well as a mentor and authority figure for the youths themselves and developed a bond of trust with them before the alleged sexual assaults.
Sheppard said the only way the second alleged victim would know about all this is by having been a victim himself.
The judge will rule later this week whether the testimony will be admissible.
The trial is expected to last until Friday.
Boucher worked at other churches in Senneville and Dorval between 1985 and 2015.
Day 2, sex assault trial of Brian Boucher who was a pastor at churches in West Island/Montreal. Defence contends young man who testified yesterday is making it up based on 2nd alleged victim who testified today. Crown: similarities not mere coincidence but pattern. #CJAD800 pic.twitter.com/jWE1Qoquh1
— Shuyee Lee (@sleeCJAD) November 20, 2018